🎯 Think In Stacks Method (TISM)

A Validated Framework for Nursing Clinical Decision-Making

What is TISM?

The Think In Stacks Method is a structured approach to prioritizing nursing interventions based on a four-stack hierarchy:

  1. Life Threats (ABC+D) - Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability
  2. Safety - Falls, Infection, Violence
  3. Physical Needs - Glucose (minutes), Pain/Elimination (hours), Nutrition (days)
  4. Nursing Process - Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation

Remember: Assessment wins ties!

📚 Available Resources

📖 Complete TISM Guide

Interactive web guide with full explanations, examples, and practice scenarios

Interactive Comprehensive

📇 Pocket Reference Card

Print-ready pocket card (3.5" x 5.5") for quick reference during clinical practice

Printable Quick Reference

💻 TISM Implementation

Python implementation with machine learning, validation tools, and examples

Source Code ML-Enhanced

📄 Research Paper

Academic paper detailing TISM validation, methodology, and results

Research APA Format

📊 Validation Results

TISM has been validated on 68 priority-setting NCLEX questions with the following results:

Key Finding: TISM works best as a thinking framework that organizes clinical knowledge, not as a standalone answer-finder.

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